The role of openness in explaining innovation performance in a regional context

Anna D’Ambrosio, Roberto Gabriele (), Francesco Schiavone and Manuel Villasalero ()
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Anna D’Ambrosio: University of Turin
Francesco Schiavone: Universita degli Studi di Napoli Parthenope
Manuel Villasalero: Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Anna D'Ambrosio

The Journal of Technology Transfer, 2017, vol. 42, issue 2, No 11, 389-408

Abstract: Abstract We investigate the role of search strategy in shaping firms’ innovation performance. Firms use a wide range of external actors and sources to help them achieve and sustain innovation. In particular, the extension (breadth) and the relevance (depth) of such sources determine firms’ ability to extract and exploit knowledge and new ideas and, thus, to be innovative. Using a sample of firms in a regional context active in R&D, we built separate measures of breadth and depth for local (on a regional scale) and global (outside the regional context) search. This allows us to investigate whether localized or global knowledge spillovers are in place. We find that a wider set of partners increases coordination costs, while greater depth in search strategies contributes to innovation. We find that a more diversified search strategy at the local level (greater breadth of search) results in significant payoffs in terms of innovation, while diversifying the partnership with Italian partners has a smaller, although still positive, effect. In contrast, the benefits of depth of innovation are greatest at the global level. In addition, a broader set of information sources for R&D projects has a significant positive effect on innovation. Finally, firms that resort to R&D subsidies are less innovative.

Keywords: Openness; Search strategies; Innovation; Innovative performance; R&D regional policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D83 O31 R11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (15)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10961-016-9501-8

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